32 Fresh Zucchini Recipes to Squash Your Summer Cravings (2024)

Pressure Cooker Honey-Orange Chicken with Zucchini

Calling all Paleo diet and Instant Pot devotees! This zucchini dinner recipe combines both concepts with satisfying results. Sliced squash meets chicken thighs, orange juice, and a handful of spice cabinet regulars for a much healthier twist on sweet and sour chicken.

Panko-Crusted Beef Roast with Hasselback Zucchini

Hasselbacking isn't just for potatoes. Try the sliced-and-seasoned strategy with this stuffed zucchini and beef recipe. Sure, the crunch-coated roast beef is a must, but the squash side here might just steal the show.

Zucchini-Walnut Cake

As if zucchini didn't make this cake moist enough already, we've added a zesty lemon syrup to finish this sweet recipe. The result? An extremely tender and addicting crumb that will melt in your mouth. Don't forget to add those pretty zucchini blossoms for a showstopping dessert.

Zucchini Pizza Tacos

No need to order takeout when you can celebrate summer with a fresh grilled zucchini recipe that cooks entirely outside in just 10 minutes. Squash acts as the "meat" in this mash-up meal. It's part pizza, part taco, and full of fresh summer flavors like tomatoes, peppers, and fresh herbs. Serve with a cool summer drink, and you'll be set.

Test Kitchen Tip: Hit fast-forward on this summer supper by starting with purchased pizza dough.

Zucchini Steaks with Herb Garden Chimichurri

Use whatever fresh herbs you have in the garden to whip up a quick, tangy chimichurri sauce for this grilled zucchini recipe. To make this a healthier vegetarian meal option, try adding cubed fresh mozzarella to the tops.

Zucchini-Olive Oil Cake

A whopping 2-½ cups of shredded squash lend loads of moisture to this better-than-bakery dessert recipe using zucchini. Instead of butter, mild extra virgin olive oil makes for a heart-healthy addition to both the cake and the buttery cream cheese frosting. Seek out cake flour to trade in for the all-purpose flour; alongside the olive oil, it makes the texture absolutely divine.

Summer Spaghetti Salad

Searching for a pasta salad that can stand alone as an entrée? This vegetarian pasta and zucchini noodles recipe truly satisfies because it bulks up the standard spaghetti with spiralized squash, plenty of fresh tomatoes, and toasted walnuts. For a flavor boost in every forkful, peel string cheese strands to scatter between the noodles and zoodles.

Zucchini-Banana Flaxseed Muffins

Banana bread meets zucchini muffin recipe in this healthy breakfast that will have everyone asking for seconds, even with nutritious upgrades like flaxseed, whole wheat flour, and skim milk. Pair one with a hard-boiled egg or two for a filling grab-and-go breakfast.

Zucchini Bread

"Make more than one, or you won't get any when the family is done," recommends one BHG.com baker who has prepared this low-fuss zucchini bread recipe. A cup of shredded zucchini guarantees that each bite is super moist. The veggie's mild flavor allows warm spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg to step into the spotlight.

Lemony Ricotta Summer Squash Galette

Galettes are known for their flaky crust and irresistible fillings, and this baked zucchini recipe is no exception. Pair a flaky pastry crust with the crisp-tender veggies, three types of cheese, lemon juice, and a drizzle of olive oil. Then pop it in the oven for a golden-brown appetizer.

Test Kitchen Tip: Salt the zucchini to help remove some of the excess water so you don't end up with a soggy crust.

Zucchini-Wrapped Pork

You're just four ingredients and 35 minutes away from a fresh, family-friendly dinner. We've wrapped roasted pork tenderloin in thinly sliced zucchini strips, roasted it, and topped it with tangy pesto. Just add a side fruit or vegetable salad for a supremely satisfying summer feast.

Zucchini and Tomato Frittata

Get crackin'! With this easy zucchini recipe, you can whip up a flavorful frittata in just 30 minutes with the help of fresh-from-the-garden vegetables. Perfect for brunch or a simple supper, each wedge gets even better with a sprinkle of crunchy walnuts.

Ravioli, Zucchini, and Brown Butter

This 30-minute meal is coated in a bit of rich brown butter. Quickly sauté the ingredients for this easy zucchini and ravioli recipe at home, then pack the recipe for your next picnic. It's just as delicious eaten at room temp as it is hot off the stove!

Individual Squash Casseroles

We know what you're thinking: A casserole in the middle of summer? You bet, when it features zucchini, mushrooms, fresh tomato marinara, and mozzarella cheese. Just think of this easy zucchini recipe as a crustless pizza in a pot!

Pesto Veggie Gyro

Who says a gyro recipe must have meat? Grill skewers of Halloumi cheese, red sweet peppers, and zucchini, then spread with homemade pesto and stuff into fluffy flatbread for an irresistible vegetarian sandwich. Pair this grilled zucchini recipe with a side of hummus to round out the Mediterranean meal.

Chocolate Zucchini Bread

A classic zucchini bread recipe is even more cravable with dark chocolate pieces and a rich chocolate drizzle on top. This recipe makes two loaves—and you'll be happy it does after you devour your first "where has this been all my life?!" slice.

Test Kitchen Tip: Let the zucchini bread stand overnight before slicing so that it's extra moist the next morning.

Corn and Zucchini Pan Soufflé

Yes way, soufflé! This impressive baked zucchini recipe looks like you labored over it all day, but it can be on your table in less than an hour. Top the airy corn, cheese, and zucchini soufflé with a fresh cilantro-tomato relish and Parmesan for a praiseworthy finish.

Roasted Zucchini Lasagna

Zucchini stars alongside sweet Italian sausage in this healthy twist on the classic Italian casserole. With mozzarella, Alfredo sauce, and fresh rosemary, this roasted zucchini recipe is a delicious seasonal potluck option.

Test Kitchen Tip: Prep ahead for less stress. Assemble the entire lasagna and chill for up to 24 hours before baking and taking it to go.

Vegetable Pie

Here's a savory pie worthy of a standing ovation! Showcase your garden's finest fresh vegetables in this colorful summer dish from cooking show host/singer/mom Trisha Yearwood. Stacked with zucchini, yellow squash, tomatoes, and two types of gooey cheese, this zucchini recipe can be served as either a side or an entrée (depending on how you slice it).

Lime Couscous with Summer Veggies

Give quick-cooking couscous a burst of summer flavor with fresh-squeezed lime juice and a medley of zucchini, carrots, and green onion. Seeking lower-sodium options? Prepare the couscous with reduced-sodium chicken broth and decrease the salt in the easy zucchini recipe to ½ teaspoon.

Farmer's Market Grilled Cheese

You'll melt over this grown-up grilled cheese. Plus, you can feel good about the fresh veggies in this quick lunch or dinner zucchini recipe idea. Just layer spinach, mayonnaise, goat cheese, squash, and tomato on sourdough bread, then toast until golden.

Zucchini Cupcakes with Greek Yogurt Frosting

Cupcakes for breakfast? You bet. Thanks to whole wheat flour, fat-free milk, and applesauce, these baked goods are a healthy treat, too. Simply call it a zucchini muffin recipe and you're all set to snack on 'em before noon.

Zucchini, Summer Squash and Chicken Salad

A fresh salad is one of our go-to summer dinners. This zucchini recipe features ribbons of squash, fresh corn, and lemony poached chicken. The homemade dressing calls for fresh dill but you could easily substitute parsley or basil.

Spiced Nuts and Zucchini Corn Bread

Boxed corn bread mix simply can't compete with this easy-prep homemade side. Spiced mixed nuts add just the right amount of crunch to our moist corn and zucchini bread recipe. Served warm, this homemade corn bread is the perfect complement to nearly any meal.

Zucchini Boats with Bacon Gremolata

When you see how simple it is to prepare, this creation will become a go-to zucchini recipe idea. Heap smoky bacon, Parmesan cheese, and spicy peppers into this grilled zucchini boat recipe for a vegetable side dish everyone will love.

Test Kitchen Tip: Grill the zucchini before stuffing to ensure they're cooked through by the time the bacon gremolata is warm.

Zucchini-Carrot Cake

This zucchini recipe merges with carrot cake for a spring dessert that will have everyone oohing and aahing. Shredded veggies and vegetable oil make the cake crumb extra moist.

Zucchini Ribbons, Pasta, and Arugula

Cut down on kitchen time by combining the salad and the pasta courses into one delicious dish. A simple zucchini pasta recipe makes for a blank canvas to soak up all the flavors of the peppery arugula leaves, spicy pepperoncini slices, and tangy lemon juice.

Test Kitchen Tip: Make this the main dish by topping each portion with grilled shrimp or chicken.

Four-Cheese Zucchini Strata

Fresh slices of zucchini layered with four kinds of gooey cheese baked together in a creamy egg base sounds like the perfect dish to kick off weekend brunch. You can prep this one up to 24 hours in advance. All you'll have to do is pop it in the oven and enjoy a cup of coffee while you wait.

Spaghetti and Zucchini Noodles with Basil-Walnut Pesto

Using half whole wheat pasta and half zucchini noodles fills this summer dinner idea with texture and flavor. In-season basil shines in a simple homemade pesto sauce that coats each twirled forkful.

Zucchini-Spinach Topper

During peak zucchini season, whip up a batch of this veggie-packed condiment and stash it in your freezer for up to three months. The flavorful mix of shredded zucchini, spinach, red onion, and garlic is great on pasta, bruschetta, chicken, and more.

Walnut-Stuffed Zucchini Boats

A hearty mix of quinoa and chopped walnuts makes a crunchy topper for tender summer zucchini. Add flavor with fresh parsley, bell pepper, and lemon juice. If you're looking for a vegan zucchini recipe, simply omit the Parmesan cheese.

Zucchini-Chorizo Sweet Corn Bake

If you're serving a crowd this summer, try this hearty zucchini recipe. It's made with layers of freshly sliced squash, sweet corn, chorizo, and white cheddar cheese. Round out the meal with a simple tomato salad and tortilla chips for scooping up every last bite.